Fast? Who Me?

Daily Reading: Isaiah 58

Scripture Focus: Is not this the fast that I choose… (Isaiah 58.6)

Devotional Thought: Fasting is a lost discipline.  In our pleasure-seeking day, we have difficulty grasping the concept of denying ourselves anything, and that's what fasting is.  It is emptying ourselves so that God can fill us with himself.   It is the denial of a physical appetite in order to attune ourselves to a spiritual blessing.

In Isaiah’s day, the problem was not that fasting was being disregarded.  It was, rather, that it was being substituted for a vital and obedient relationship with God.  The people thought that if they fasted "religiously" - observing all the right details - then God would bless them.  What they failed to see was that God desired something more.  It wasn’t that God didn’t want them to fast, he said in fact that he chose a certain type of fast.  God desired that fasting be accompanied by actions that displayed his character and values: compassion, justice, mercy, holiness, peace, and love.  Fasting that was simply a change in diet but not in heart was not fasting at all in God’s eyes.

What do we substitute for heart religion today?  Church attendance?  Giving?  Ministry involvement?  Ministry success?  Those are not bad things, as fasting was not bad in Isaiah’s day.  These things, however, must be observed with an accompanying resolve to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness.  True religion must move from the sanctuary to the street, from the pew to the poor.  What are we doing to break the bonds of sin and wickedness?

In this day of confusion and despair, we must not sound retreat.  Let us deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, you said "in that day" - the day when you would no longer be with them - your disciples would fast.  Help me to so hunger and thirst for your presence that I will deny myself in order to receive you fully into my life.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 91.9-16

9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place-- the Most High, who is my refuge--

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.

11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

14 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.

15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."